AFS-USA recently became aware of potential challenges related to visa appointment availability in Japan. This issue is specific to the US embassy in Japan.

The US embassy website in Japan posted this notice:  “Additional or new appointments for student or exchange visitor visa applications will be extremely limited until further notice. Interview scheduling is a dynamic process. It is based on our ability to successfully adjudicate cases in full compliance with U.S. law, including to ensure that applicants do not post (sic) a security or safety risk to the U.S. 
We cannot guarantee that students or exchange visitor visa applicants without an existing appointments (sic) will be able to schedule an interview this summer.” 

While this does not mean that Japanese students will definitely be delayed, there is a risk that their arrival may be delayed. AFS-USA will reach out to host families after this message is posted to ask them to advocate with their representatives to request that they inquire about this delay with the U.S. Department of State. And, AFS-USA staff will work with volunteers, host families, schools and other stakeholders on a case-by-case basis to determine next steps for students who may be impacted. 

Please note that AFS has not encountered this challenge in other countries. In general, where AFS students who are set to participate in the 2025-26 school year to the USA but have not previously obtained a visa interview appointment, they have been able to schedule them – except in Japan.  

AFS-USA will keep our stakeholders updated as we gain any further information or updates from our colleagues in Japan.